If you want a meal that’s filling and exceptionally delicious, try having tender cube steaks with rice. This satisfying dish brings together the succulence of cube steak and the soft texture of rice in a symphony of flavors. So let’s help you master the cooking methods you can use and explore the different types of rice so you can recreate this ultimate cube steak and rice experience at home.
Table of Contents
What’s the Best Method for Cooking Cube Steak and Rice?
Perhaps the best method is pan searing the steaks. This way, you can truly appreciate its flavor on its own. Of course, you will still have to season it with salt and pepper so it doesn’t come out bland. But enjoying the golden-brown crust of the steak will really highlight the beefy flavor. As for the rice, various methods like stovetop, rice cooker, or instant pot can yield excellent results. You shouldn’t have any problems with the rice as long as you fluff it after cooking to achieve that texture everybody loves.
What Are the Different Types of Rice You Can Use?
There are many variants of rice, which means you have a lot of options to pair with your cube steaks. If you want something light and loose, choose long-grain rice like Jasmine. If you want rice that’s fragrant, Basmati is your best bet. Cook brown rice for added nuttiness and nutrition, or wild rice if you’re feeling a bit adventurous. Each type brings its own character to the dish, allowing you to enjoy your cube steaks in several ways.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Cube Steak and Rice
If you want to make this meal, here are some tips and tricks you can follow to ensure you get the best results every time:
Use a marinade: Allow the cube steak to marinate with your favorite blend of seasonings to enhance its flavor and tenderness. Don’t be afraid to try different blends until you find the one you like best.
Sear for color and texture: Searing allows the meat to achieve a delicious crust. This is pretty easy to do as long as you properly heat your pan or skillet before adding in the steaks.
Rest for tenderness: Let the cooked cube steak rest briefly before slicing to allow its juices to redistribute back to the fibers, resulting in a more succulent bite.
Flavor the rice: Add aromatic elements like bay leaves, cloves, or sautéed onions to the rice while cooking for an extra layer of flavor. You can also splash a bit of soy sauce or use vanilla grass.
Cook the rice with broth: Cook rice in a mixture of broth and water to infuse it with savory notes that complement the cube steak. It’s better to use unseasoned broth so your rice doesn’t get too salty once cooked.
Juicy Cube Steak and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cube Steak:
- 4 cube steaks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain rice (or your preferred variation)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Season the cube steaks with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Let the steaks marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Place the marinated cube steaks in the skillet and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms. Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest. Leave the garlic in the pan but move quickly to the next step to prevent the garlic from burning.
- In the same skillet, melt butter for the rice. Add the rice and sauté for a couple of minutes until lightly toasted.
- Mix in the broth, season to taste, and bring to a boil. Once the rice boils, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice simmer for the recommended time for your chosen rice variation. If you have a rice cooker, use it for an easier process.
- Once the rice is cooked, let it sit covered for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
- Slice the rested cube steaks and serve them over a bed of fluffy rice. You can add side dishes like buttered vegetables or whip up some gravy to complete the meal.
Notes
- Experiment with different marinades for the cube steak, such as soy sauce-based or Worcestershire-based, to create your own flavor profile. Use small pieces of cube steaks to test your marinades individually until you find the perfect mix.
- Enhance the rice by adding finely chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro before fluffing. Whatever leftover you have can be used for fried rice the next day.
Conclusion
Cube steak with rice is a timeless combination that brings together taste, texture, and satisfaction in every bite. Using the right cooking method, rice variation, and a touch of culinary know-how, you can transform these simple ingredients into a masterpiece that’s going to be everybody’s favorite once they taste it. So whether you’re prepping for a small family dinner or gathering with friends, this dish is sure to be a hit. Enjoy it today!
Juicy Cube Steak and Rice
Ingredients
For the Cube Steak
- 4 cube steaks
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
For the Rice
- 1 cup long grain rice (or your preferred variation)
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Season the cube steaks with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Let the steaks marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Place the marinated cube steaks in the skillet and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms. Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest. Leave the garlic in the pan but move quickly to the next step to prevent the garlic from burning.
- In the same skillet, melt butter for the rice. Add the rice and sauté for a couple of minutes until lightly toasted.
- Mix in the broth, season to taste, and bring to a boil. Once the rice boils, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice simmer for the recommended time for your chosen rice variation. If you have a rice cooker, use it for an easier process.
- Once the rice is cooked, let it sit covered for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
- Slice the rested cube steaks and serve them over a bed of fluffy rice. You can add side dishes like buttered vegetables or whip up some gravy to complete the meal.
Notes
- Experiment with different marinades for the cube steak, such as soy sauce-based or Worcestershire-based, to create your own flavor profile. Use small pieces of cube steaks to test your marinades individually until you find the perfect mix.
- Enhance the rice by adding finely chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or cilantro before fluffing. Whatever leftover you have can be used for fried rice the next day.